Therion touring/session vocalist Snowy Shaw (his birth certificate reads Tommie Helgesson) has quit the band after four years, two studio albums, live DVD's and numerous tours around the world.

In a message to Blabbermouth.net, Snowy Shaw states: "I've had a terrific and great time touring and working with Therion and I do wish them nothing but the best in the future, but I've felt for some time that it's time for me to move on. I also wanna take the opportunity to show my gratitude and thank all the loyal fans for their support, love and understanding."

Shaw — who has previously toured and/or recorded with Dream Evil, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate and Memento Mori, among other acts — was forced to sit out this weekend's show with Therion at the Rock Harz Festival in Germany due to sickness. This would have been Snowy's last appearance with the band.

Snowy has written and co-written songs for the forthcoming Therion album, Sitra Ahra, which is scheduled for release in September through Nuclear Blast Records.

Shaw's departure from Therion will not affect the group's upcoming live appearances, as singer Thomas Vikström will handle Snowy's parts at the Rock Harz Festival and on the upcoming tours in South/Central America, Mexico and Europe.

Therion bassist Nalle Påhlsson has announced he'll be sitting the upcoming South American and European headlining tours. In a message on the band's website he writes:

"I'm writing here to announce that I am not gonna be part of the tour that will start in October 2010, and the reasons are:

•I´m alone with my two children and it´s not possible for me to be away for over two months.

•I´m right now studying and I have to complete my education this autumn.

•I have lately had a drinking-problem, and to be on tour is not the best thing for me right now.

I´m doing well at home, feeling good and everything is under control and that´s the way I´m gonna stay and keep it! If everything goes as planned I´m gonna stay member of Therion playing on the forthcoming albums and hopefully I will also be able to show up and play live in the future."

And about the upcoming album Sitra Ahra he says: "I´m also very glad, pleased and satisfied about my playing on the forthcoming album Sitra Ahra that will be released in September 2010! I really think this album will be well received by all of you fans! - It´s absolutely great!"

My Fenerbahçen we came for you, Your fan is by yourside, We are walking through the cups, You war nonstop, This love will never end, You are legend ..., Oleey Oley, In each match of yours, In every step, Your are the greatest, Glorious Canary (it means the yellow color of Fenerbahçe), My canary, Our enthusiastic love, This our song will never end, This love is heritage for tomorrows